Friday, November 27, 2009

Blackhead Range Hike - Part 2

I was hiking with both Fergus and Seamus in the Catskills and we were still near the beginning of the hike, perhaps less than a mile along the trail, when I took this picture. Seamus is wondering what the heck I'm doing:As the dogs and I climbed higher up the mountain, the fog got more dense. It didn't seem to bother the dogs at all but it became eerier to me as we progressed:A turkey tail fungus along the way:Higher and higher we climbed up into the Blackhead Mountains which consist of Blackhead Mountain, Thomas Cole Mountain and Black Dome:The rocks are layered and filled with crevices, caves and ledges for wildlife and a whole host of imaginary creatures:Standing at the bottom of a tall ledge, we are preparing to climb straight up it:We're approaching the top of the ledge:Seamus tries a detour (he doesn't follow the trail markers):I paused for a moment to admire and examine the liverworts. At least I thought that's what they were. I later did an internet search and decided that they were Thalloid Liverworts, a primitive and fascinating life form. I'm open to correction if anyone knows I'm wrong:A closer view:Higher and higher we climbed up into the foggy mountains:

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About Me

In my life I've resided in the hayloft of a barn, adopted two teens, started a church, a school and a chorus. I've volunteered at the Rescue Mission, animal shelter (thus the house full of critters), AIDS Council and with children. Then, after all those adventures and nearing retirement, I decided to become a cattle farmer and purchased a small farm in northern New York, situated on a windswept plain north of the Adirondack mountains. I am raising purebred Red Poll cattle and a few bantam chickens. There are nearby Adirondack wilderness hikes for me to explore with the dogs. My blog tells the story in pictures and my desire is to share with you the sense of awe and wonderment I feel as I move through this world of animals, plants, people, forests, rivers, villages and starry skies. This is indeed a marvelous world.
Click on any of the photos to see an extra large version.